Global ETPs experience outflows of $15 billion in August

With uncertainty about economic growth and Federal Reserve policy, the global exchange-traded product (ETP) industry experienced outflows of $15.0 billion in August, according to the latest ETP Landscape report from BlackRock, the parent of iShares.

Global ETPs experienced record monthly outflows of $15 billion in August 2013, according to data from BlackRock.

This was second month of redemptions this year following very strong asset gathering in July.

Similar to June, outflows were driven by fixed income with $5.3 billion, including $8.1 billion from funds with longer/broader maturity profiles versus inflows for short maturity funds.

This is the largest monthly outflow on record for global ETPs. The previous monthly record for global ETP outflows was in January 2010, when the industry witnessed outflows of $13.4 billion.

News that the Eurozone posted its first economic expansion in 18 months helped fuel record setting monthly flows of $4.7 billion into Pan European Equity ETPs in August.

Overall, equity ETP flows were negative at $9.4 billion as US exposures lost momentum in August, registering outflows of $14.5 billion. However, excluding significant redemptions of $14.0 billion for SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY), the world’s largest ETF, US equity outflows were modest at $500 million.

Year-to-date equity ETP flows as at the end of August were $138.5 billion, still well ahead of last year’s pace.

Raj Seshadri, Head of BlackRock ETP Insights, commented: “Investors remained cautious in August due to continued uncertainty about US economic growth and Federal Reserve policy. Many of these investors turned to ETPs to execute their investment views, as the global ETP industry experienced outflows of $15.0 billion in August.

“European equities were a bright spot for the month, as news that the eurozone posted its first economic expansion in 18 months helped fuel record setting monthly flows of $4.7 billion into pan European equity ETPs.

“Despite the outflows in August, overall year-to-date equity ETP flows were $138.5 billion, still well ahead of last year’s pace.

“Continued uncertainty around the timing of the Fed’s tapering, the direction of economic data and potential geopolitical conflict is likely to lead to increased volatility for equity and bond markets in September.”